The Pros and Cons of Breast Enlargement

Breast augmentation, or enlargement, is a hotly debated topic with many both for and against the surgery – below we weigh up some of the pros and cons.

Much of the debate surrounding breast enlargements centre on body positivity and the ideology of us all being comfortable in our own skin. While we can affect how big our waistline is, small breasts will always remain, with many women suffering from low self-esteem as a result.

As well as increasing body confidence, breast augmentation can help make a woman feel more feminine which can improve self-esteem. This can lead to a woman becoming a more confident person as a whole, bringing them out of their shell.

Con: Price

For all of the positive effects that the surgery can have it does come at a price, and a pretty hefty one at that. Surgery will set you back thousands of pounds, and that is without the implants.

The price alone dictates that this is an investment that needs serious consideration. Some will be able to afford to spend upwards of £5,000 on cosmetic surgery without the slightest flinch. Most, though, will be forced to take out a loan or commit to paying monthly instalments that can carry over the course of a number of years.

Pro: Reversible

Breast implants are reversible and, if you feel that larger breasts are not for you after going through with the surgery, you can have them taken out. Although costly, implants are not a permanent fix for larger breasts which keeps you in control of your body.

Con: Temporary

While the temporary nature of implants and the flexibility to take them out is a positive for some, it can also be an expensive negative for others. Breast implants, as a general rule, should be replaced after every 10 years or taken out altogether.

Although many implants can last longer than 10 years, the older the implant the more susceptible it is to damage and failure, which will require surgery to remove sooner rather than later.

Pro: Natural Look

Only very poorly done breast augmentations look terrible. For the most part, breast enlargements look natural and do not stick out like a sore thumb, contrary to popular belief. As long as the implant is not too big so as the woman’s overall body shape becomes disproportioned, you simply would not be able to tell.

A well-performed surgery with expected results will see the woman’s new cup complement her figure. This can play a key role in improving confidence and raise her self-esteem, as well as just generally feel more comfortable in her own skin.

Con: Artificial

While breast enlargements can look natural, they are still artificial and many women are just simply not into introducing foreign materials into their bodies. Implants are made of either silicone or saline (salt water) and pose minimal health risks in the event of a leak.

An alternative to breast implants is to have fat from another area of your body injected into the breasts – while this process does not introduce any foreign implants into the body; this method has not been completely tested for complications. There have been cases where breasts have become infected after the procedure.

If after reading this article you still believe that a breast enlargement is for you, a surgeon will be able to offer advice on the options available to you and what will work best for you.

Author bioAaron McCann is a medical professional specialising in cosmetic surgery. Aaron takes great pleasure in helping his patient’s become more confident within themselves and sharing his experiences.